Four Things We Learned: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United (FA Cup)

Manchester United’s dreams of winning the Mickey Mouse treble are done and dusted after losing 1-0 against Premier League leaders Chelsea in their FA Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.

It was a tightly-contested encounter in the first half, with Marcus Rashford surprisingly starting for the Reds after recovering from illness. José Mourinho’s men lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, mirroring Antonio Conte’s side and they matched each other blow for blow up and until referee Michael Oliver sent off Ander Herrera for two yellows close to the end of the first half.

From then on, it was always going to be an uphill task for United to get anything out from the encounter and their rearguard was broken early in the second half, as N’Golo Kante rifled the ball past David de Gea from 25 yards to break the deadlock.

United would have a chance to level matters moments later, as Marcus Rashford bore down on goal after turning Gary Cahill inside out, but his shot was turned away in what turned out to be the Reds’ one and only clear-cut chance.

Still, Mourinho will have been proud of his side’s valiant display and attentions will now switch to Europe, with Rostov travelling to Old Trafford in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 clash.